Travel health insurance

Hi marescow‍ 

This is a question that comes up frequently but not sure we have had anyone report back with their successes. I found this response from Lacey_adminCCS‍ and may be a great place to start as you certainly don't want any surprises

 Our Cancer Information Service  ( 1-888-939-3333 ) often suggests people call the  Ombudsman for Life and Health Insurance   when they are looking for help finding an insurer after being diagnosed with cancer. You can reach them at 1-888-295-8112.

PS - good to hear you are stable. I wish you a great holiday

Lianne

Hi marescow‍ 
my husband and I had trouble finding a company that would insure my husband. In the end we used RBC they did not ask any questions, but my husband is under 60. 
It is really frustrating. Not sure if this helps.

cancerspouse

Actually I got this site from 1-888-939-3333- Canadian Cancer & they also sent me to OLHI.ca or 1-888-295-8122 for a list of possible insurers. I had checked with several on the companies listed & they don't insure cancer patients either.
Possibly the RBC was insuring patients under 60 but they aren't interested over that. They are the only ones who might consider insuring you without the cancer coverage- which I may explore- but they don't reduce their price- it's the same no matter. I guess it's a matter of being insured at this point. Still searching. The latest questions are- are you considered terminal ( aren't we all?) or have you had chemo in the last 3 months before you travel ( including a daily pill- TKI?)- which they didn't have an answer to it.

marescow‍ I am sorry you are finding so many roadblocks. If you do get any resolution to this, and you are able to , it would be helpful for other members to let us know what you learn. I am sure many people have or will find themselves in this situation.

Lianne

Hi Everyone, 
I am thinking of visiting my daughter in the US. She is
here now and it would be nice to go to here place 
next time. I want coverage for things like ( God forbid) 
a car accident, fall. Etc. I don’t expect Cancer coverage 
as I am stable. 
However, I am afraid that a claim would be denied after
an accident. I saw a claim in Canada denied once where 
a previous heart attack patient was killed. Nothing to do 
with his heart. I believe it was paid after a huge public 
outcry. 
So I’ll shop around and post anything good I find. I am
also 68 so once over 65 it’s harder. Has anyone got 
info about CAA? I have that plus car coverage on a 
credit card. 
Thanks, all the best ,
Nancy

Hi marescow‍ nancy180‍ cancerspouse‍ and everyone else,

You may want to explore Goose Travel Insurance.  This just launched in Canada in August 2018 "to address the gap between the antiquated insurance industry and ‘on-demand’ needs of consumers today, Goose is on a mission to protect Canadians."
It seems to be able to provide coverage for all ages, even if over 75yrs old. (Some conditions apply)

The reviews, so far, of the service and the online phone app are 5star.  More info can be found here: Digital Journal Press Release

The "fine print" of the policy can be found here.

I finished treatment for Stage 3 breast cancer in April 2018 and am going to Costa Rica in December for 10 days. I intend to check this out, if my current travel insurance coverage (through my work) is not sufficient.

Check it out and let everyone here in this forum know of your experience with this company, if you end up using it.

Thanks, I will check it out. But by reading about it, it seems it only covers some of the provinces- not Quebec sadly. I will call & see if they can refer me to someone else. Watch for the "terminal" explanation. I thought I was, as that was what they said 4 1/2 years ago. Seems if your life expectancy is less than 12 months or you are having palliative care, you don't qualify- according to their description- some insurances say 6 months.

I called Goose Travel insurance & they don't cover Quebec & several other provinces. I asked who they could recommend in Quebec & they suggested Tugo. I have several calls in & waiting for answers. One of them may work, but doesn't cover cancer. The companies that may cover the other conditions would be Royal Bank & Surcureglobe. Tugo and Royal Bank can be checked online to prepare you for the questionaire. There are 7 days free if you have certain credit cards- like the Royal Bank preferred card, but if you don't qualify they won't reimburse you later. If you are over 60 & need less than 15 days you can get the insurance without the questionaire, they say.

have had great difficulty finding travel insurance to the usa. I've had pancreatic cancer for 5 years and just this past year it has spread to one section of my lungs. My oncologist says to go ahead and travel but does warn that even if I get a company to insure against falls or accidents (I'm 78) and exclude the cancer, they likely will find a way to link back the claim to the cancer and deny the claim. I previously used CAA I believe with an exclusion for the cancer but now that it has spread to my lungs and due to my age... and I broke my hip three years ago.. am quite fraile I'm more concerned. My daughter and her family are going on vac and I wanted to join them. 

if the insurance company claims cancer has something to do with a broken hip, that's really low of them. But anyways, insurance agencies are about making money, thus they'll do their best to avoid unnecessary, form their point of view, pay-outs.I personally have insurance from Allianz. Still before registering with one or the other insurance company, do talk everything over with the travel insurance agent. And for what it worth you might compare various plans at the travel insurance marketplace.

I had a stem cell transplant for leukemia 7 months ago.  I have looked into travel insurance options for when I am permitted to travel again.  Tugo offers good options.   However, I found that Pacific Blue Cross was best for me.  One must be medically stable, no recent changes in treatment or medications to get coverage.  They also offer an option for coverage at a lesser cost that will exempt coverage for all cancers.  I.e. if I have a cancer relapse while travelling, it will not be covered, but all other illnesses or injuries would be covered.

I'm a snowbird and have always used CAA for my travel insurance thinking that it was the cheapest and no medical required. After my cancer diagnosis and surgery I was no longer insurable by their underwriter.

A local insurance broker advised that I contact a broker in Montreal, Securiglobe:

https://www.securiglobe.com/en/securiglobe-campaign/?sem=SEM002&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4orn9_T45QIV4BitBh01sAzIEAAYASAAEgJFO_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

They took my info over the 'phone and offered me plans from three companies. I chose Blue Cross because it covered pre-existing conditions if they were stable for 6 months prior to departure (except the cancer), and provided 30 day emergency coverage for 12 months. This means that I can  travel in the U.S. for 30 days, came back to Canada for 1 day, and then go back for another 30 days during the rest of the year. (the premium for this coverage is tax deductible).

The bonus is that it's 35% cheaper than CAA. My wife also switched. She's prescribed a puffer because of asthma (but rarely uses it) and her premium with CAA was $930.00  for three months...now she pays $350.00. 

Great information Jackwb‍ . Thank you so much for sharing. I am sure it will be helpful for others looking for info on this topic.


Lianne

Travel health insurance is now available with COVID-19 coverage at good price, about $4.00/day for my wife, $9.00/day for me and it covers pre-existing conditions except my cancer. The only changes in the policies this year are:

1. No COVID symptoms six months prior to departure

2. If the company tells you to come home, it's now mandatory that you do, last year it was just a suggestion.

3. The insurance companies have close relationships with health care providers and hospitals around the world and would send you to the best facilities then arrange to fly you home...they will no longer do this as they no longer know if hospitals will let you in or which doctors are available to treat you, not just for COVID but any issue, even a broken leg. They will not help get you home as flights may not be available. You are on your own.

More info at https://www.securiglobe.com/

We're still thinking of going back to Florida this winter but it doesn't look good...they're nuts down there, recording over 10,000 new cases every day.